Saka - totally forgot he was injured till I read the list to my dad. ‘Jon from Kidderminster: The fact that Jack Butland is not in the squad is shocking. An assured keeper who's played every game should be over Aaron Ramsdale who's warmed the bench. Hi John. It’s a good point about an English goalkeeper playing regularly as there aren’t many. Jordan Pickford will play every game unless he picks up an injury that keeps him out. Ramsdale is known to the squad and Southgate has built a club feel since he has been manager. The characters of players are part of his decision and while that is nothing against Butland, it may be that he has gone for players he knows are good around the squad and good while away from home at a tournament.’
Keep bringing it up but it is so important that we have a strong U21 platform. It really feels like we have players that have progressed or at least been helped on their way because they were involved in our U21 set up. They will be far more prepared for a senior tournament because of that experience. Compare it to the previous campaign under Boothroyd. Boothroyd in 2019 had Henderson, AWB, Kelly, Tomori, Konsa, Maddison, Gibbs-White, Foden, Mount, Barnes, Solanke, Abraham and DCL in just one squad. Even other squad member like Reiss Nelson, Clarke-Salter and Dowell were good U21 options. That squad was arguably the strongest ever. Then he had another squad in 2021 with Ramsdale, Guehi, Aarons, Kelly, Gallagher, Nketiah, CHO, Skipp, Jones, Smith-Rowe, Eze, McNeil, Madueke. I still get really angry looking back at this. It was a complete waste of time. Years wasted and you could argue it was very detrimental to the players (I remember Ramsdale being all confused and in tears in the interview after being knocked out). This is why I just can never understand all the praise that Dan Ashworth gets in football. Why this was persisted with for so long and contracts were getting renewed. Even if it is solely giving your mates a job you get to a point when it should be dealt with.
We're in big trouble if Gordon is out. The only true left winger there. Foden, Grealish and Eze all need runners around them and with no actual left back and Kane up top they don't have that at all.
‘The 'maybe next time' youngsters In goal, Wigan's Sam Tickle might be in contention next time if he gets a move to a Championship club or similar, while Brentford's Matt Cox and Brighton's James Beadle - also in the Under 21s - are showing promise too. In defence, Luton's Teden Mengi and Man City's Callum Doyle, who has impressed on loan at Leicester, are probably too raw and unproven. Full-backs Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento could catapult up the pecking order if they get more consistent game time at Newcastle next season. Midfielders? From the Championship, Hayden Hackney and Archie Gray look good prospects, while Alex Scott and Carney Chukwuemeka need more consistent first-team action in the top-flight. Keep an eye on Liverpool's Tyler Morton too. In attack, wingers Samuel Iling-Junior and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens have impressed abroad, while Jay Stansfield and Liam Delap (on loan from Premier League teams), plus Jaden Philogene and Jonathan Rowe, have done well in the Championship. The explosive Morgan Rogers has settled in really nicely at Aston Villa, too. Some real bolters for the next major tournament? How about Ashley Phillips, Bobby Clark, Lewis Miley, Omari Forson, Jobe Bellingham, Ethan Nwaneri, Jayden Danns or Amario Cozier-Duberry? ‘
Southgats must be confident in Gordon’s fitness. But even if he is fit he probably won’t start against Serbia.
2⃣,7⃣4⃣3⃣ appearances in #EFL competitions from the @England pre-#EURO2024 training squad! 🦁🏴#RaisedInTheEFL https://t.co/SzNJrTH12K pic.twitter.com/U9ZjBansUN— EFL (@EFL) May 21, 2024
Would be astonished if any of those bottom ones apart from maybe Miley are in contention in two years, but I suppose nobody would have predicted Wharton or Mainoo two years ago. Chris Rigg and Miley Moore would be my 2026 picks.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/05/21/england-euro-2024-squad-player-by-player-verdict/ Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler England’s Euro 2024 squad player-by-player verdict Gareth Southgate has named his 33-man training squad for Euro 2024, vote and rank each player and join the debate in the comments section England will be looking to go one better than the last European Championship when they reached the final and lost on penalties. Gareth Southgate has chosen his 33-man training squad to prepare for the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany this summer where he is targeting a first major English triumph since 1966. Southgate has had issues with the fitness of his defenders, while there are plenty of in-form attackers for England to choose from. Back-up goalkeeper is also a dilemma. Here is the verdict on the pool of players he will choose from: Goalkeepers Jordan Pickford (Everton) Caps: 60 His kicking will start attacks for Southgate, taking the ball from his own six-yard area into midfield with an accurate pass. Coming off the back of an excellent final part of the season form-wise. Importance to Southgate: 5/5 Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) Caps: Four Not playing at Arsenal, with just one Premier League game since Christmas, but he is a valuable member of the goalkeeping department with his relationship with other keepers and training standards. Importance to Southgate: 2/5 James Trafford (Burnley) Caps: None Drafted into the squad in March after injury to Sam Johnstone, the uncapped keeper was dropped by Vincent Kompany for the final 10 games of Burnley’s relegation campaign but is still thought of as a big talent. Importance to Southgate: 1/5 Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace) Caps: One Back in the Palace team after Sam Johnstone’s injury and part of their stunning end to the season – clean sheets in the wins over Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa. More than three years since he won his only cap. Importance to Southgate: 1/5 Defenders Kyle Walker (Manchester City) Caps: 82 Just lifted the Premier League title and his displays in the important matches of the season show he is still at the top of his game at 33 and has the pace to match forwards in one-on-one situations. Importance to Southgate: 5/5 Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United) Caps: 46 Can play at left-back which will be important given the injury issues in that area. Coming back from being sidelined himself and had a dip in form earlier in the campaign but still an important senior player. Importance to Southgate: 4/5 Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) Caps: Two His form for Villa reaching the Champions League has been superb as a centre-back but he also showed in the last international break that he can cover at right-back. Calm defender who will provide good cover. Importance to Southgate: 3/5 John Stones (Manchester City) Caps: 71 Has been at the heart of the defence for England’s finest days under Southgate and, fitness permitting, will be there in Germany. Not in Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up for the last six games of the season. Importance to Southgate: 5/5 Harry Maguire (Manchester United) Caps: 63 Southgate has always stood by Maguire when fans turned against him or he was out of the United team. He has been out injured but will be back in the England team this summer if fit. Importance to Southgate: 5/5 Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) Caps: Nine Timed his return from injury just right. Picked in 5-0 win over Villa which was his first start since his knee problem, having come off the bench in wins over Manchester United and Wolves. Never seems to get into trouble on the pitch. Importance to Southgate: 3/5 Joe Gomez (Liverpool) Caps: 13 Made the emotional return to St George’s Park in March, four years after he suffered a serious knee injury on those pitches. Can play across the backline which gives Southgate an option given his injuries. Importance to Southgate: 3/5 Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton) Caps: None Called up for the March internationals but not given his first cap. However, that is surely on the horizon for a centre-back of huge promise. His form for Everton has put him on the radar of the bigger clubs in the Premier League and beyond. Importance to Southgate: 1/5 Luke Shaw (Manchester United) Caps: 31 Southgate’s first-choice left-back has not played for England all season and has been out since February with a hamstring injury. Recent setback meant no action at the end of the campaign and linking up with squad shows how important he is. Importance to Southgate: 5/5 Jarell Quansah (Liverpool) Caps: None Breakthrough year for the centre-back, whose emergence meant Liverpool did not target an emergency signing in January when others were injured. Last season, he was on loan at Bristol Rovers but he is now battling for an England place. Importance to Southgate: 1/5 Lewis Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion) Caps: Five Has developed his game since the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi as manager, even though it tailed off for Brighton under the Italian. Dunk’s caps this season have come five years after his last appearance, back in 2018. Importance to Southgate: 2/5 Midfielders Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) Caps: 23 Huge boost to see him back playing after injury for final part of the season. Yes, he can cover right-back, too, but it should be his ability to control games and his passing range that gets him into this team. Importance to Southgate: 4/5 Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United) Caps: Two One of the only bright spots in United’s dismal season. Also looked at home on the international stage against Belgium – he looked physically developed. He is a wildcard pick but what a talent. Importance to Southgate: 3/5 Declan Rice (Arsenal) Caps: 50 David Moyes suggested recently the £105 million paid by Arsenal in the summer would prove to be a bargain. Rice has such an important role for club and country, protecting his defence but breaking forward and setting the pace of the game. Importance to Southgate: 5/5 Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) Caps: None Was playing for Blackburn until the January transfer window but looks at home in the Premier League with Palace, showing his range of passing from central midfield during his short time in the top flight. Palace manager Oliver Glasner has used this huge talent very well. Importance to Southgate: 1/5 Curtis Jones (Liverpool) Caps: 0 Has not played as much as Liverpool team-mate Harvey Elliott recently but has shown a growing maturity over the last couple of seasons and has been in the FA system up to Under-21 level. Importance to Southgate: 1/5 Conor Gallagher (Chelsea) Caps: 12 Such a good member of the squad at the World Cup, where he trained hard and was a valued part of the group despite not being a first-choice player. Has enjoyed a good season at Chelseas despite the team struggling. Importance to Southgate: 2/5 Forwards Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) Caps: 29 England will be pinning their hopes on him. Has been playing slightly deeper for Real Madrid recently, similar to his England role, but he gets everywhere around the pitch. Has been consistent all season. Importance to Southgate: 5/5 Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United) Caps: Seven Has hit the 20-goal mark this season and looked good at stages of the last international break. The extra three positions could work in his favour in a competitive area of the squad for wide positions. Importance to Southgate: 2/5 Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) Caps: Two He has an X-factor that could see him make an impact off the bench in Germany. It pushed him ahead of Jordan Henderson in the battle to get in the provisional squad, with his displays all season commanding attention. Importance to Southgate: 2/5 Phil Foden (Manchester City) Caps: 33 Will surely be starting for England during the Euros. The question for the Football Writers’ Association player of the season is where his best position is under Southgate. Unfinished business after injury for the Euro 2020 final. Importance to Southgate: 4/5 Jack Grealish (Manchester City) Caps: 35 Started against Real Madrid in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final, which shows his standing in the City team when on top form. But has missed out in the last four games. Can still draw fouls and commit defenders like no other. Importance to Southgate: 2/5 Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United) Caps: Two Gordon played very well against Brazil and it was enough for Southgate to have another look against Belgium off the bench. Has been in excellent form for Newcastle since and has the potential of being a good impact sub. Importance to Southgate: 2/5 Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) Caps: 89 Has suffered an injury scare but will be back at full tilt for the Euros, hopefully. Bundesliga heartbreak for him but it can still be a huge summer for his country. He is integral to how England attack, as he often drops deep. Importance to Southgate: 5/5 James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur) Caps: Six Was an important assist against Belgium during the last international break. His form dipped for Spurs after that but he also set up a goal on the final day of the season. Fought to be fit for the World Cup and will now battle for a place at the Euros. Importance to Southgate: 2/5 Cole Palmer (Chelsea) Caps: Two Has to go to Germany after his form this season. Turns up in the big moments while his team-mates have struggled. He is rising to every occasion since leaving Manchester City and is commanding a place on the plane. Importance to Southgate: 2/5 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) Caps: 32 His direct running from the right will be an important part of England’s attack as they look to go one better this time around. He pulled out of the squad to face Brazil and Belgium as a precaution, but has been back on form for Arsenal. Importance to Southgate: 4/5 Ivan Toney (Brentford) Caps: Two Scored during the last international break, one year after his England debut, but has not been in great form since. But he is still a good back-up option for Southgate and can take an excellent penalty in a shoot-out. Importance to Southgate: 3/5 Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) Caps: 11 He has scored 19 goals and registered 13 assists in the Premier League this season. These numbers speak for themselves and he deserves his place on merit and on sheer weight of goals this season, even if it means a wide player misses out. Importance to Southgate: 3/5
Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler ‘Anon: When will we know who Gareth has dropped? Southgate has to submit his final squad by midnight on June 7th. The FA will then announce the squad on June 8th but I can imagine like today there will be a mad scramble to find out who has been confirmed in the squad. As an example, Southgate has said that Luke Shaw is ‘up against it’ to be fit in time for the tournament. He is going to use the next two weeks to see if he can get fit. If it’s clear he won’t make it, there’s a chance that he could be cut before that deadline. Southgate said today he couldn’t be certain when he’d let players go. On a really outside chance, if there was a terrible run of injuries in this squad and all the defenders got injured, Southgate could pick players who are not in this group - but that is very unlikely.’ ‘Ben, Eastbourne: Hi Alex. With Rashford, Henderson and Sterling in particular (players who've been in all of his tournament squads) do you think Southgate has somewhat put to bed the notion that he is mindlessly loyal to the same group of players regardless of form? I think so. A lot of journalists here at St George’s Park have remarked that it was particularly ruthless from Southgate today. The decision to leave Henderson out pretty much ends his international career. At the World Cup in Qatar people would have said you were mad if you had left those three out of your squad.’ ‘Gareth Southgate has selected 11 defenders in the squad along with 12 forwards, although that includes all of England's wide attacking options. He confirmed that number would have to be reduced by June 7, with his attackers likely to trimmed. "I think you can take too many forwards," he added. "You can have too many options in certain areas of the pitch. Of course, with forwards you've got to give them love and make them feel special. "If you've got too many, that can also be complicated. There's a lot to think about over the next couple of weeks. I'd have loved it to be cleaner and more definitive, but it's not the situation we're in. "This has been as complicated a group as I can remember picking." ‘
Surprisingly bold squad selection from Southgate. This team has been crying out for some fresh young blood in defence and midfield for some time, and the introduction of Jones, Wharton and Branthwaite should hopefully give us a real shot in the arm. Trafford, Quansa and Mainoo may not survive the cull - and I'd have loved to have seen Colwill - but other than that, yeah, bring on the Euros.
Gibbs-White isn’t happy with the England selection then 😂 pic.twitter.com/1poxjHN7l9— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) May 21, 2024 That was a bit unprofessional and good he deleted it.
I like gibbs-white but he plays AM/No10 our strongest area. Whos Southgate going to drop Bellingham, Foden or Palmer. None of the young lads play in his position.
Breaking news - Southgate says he will take 26 but heavily implies it will be for extra defenders. Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler 'We would be silly not to use the allocation'published at 17:43 17:43 BBC 5 Live's John Murray has interviewed England manager Gareth Southgate about his training squad ahead of the Euros. Will it definitely be a 26-player squad you name? “I think given the situation we find ourselves in we would be more likely to take the full 26, because even though a lot of situations will be clearer, we might need more players. “We would be silly not to use the allocation what we have got.” BBC 5 Live's John Murray has interviewed England manager Gareth Southgate about his training squad ahead of the Euros. Was there any prospect of Jordan Henderson coming in with a different role? “I think he would have embraced anything like that, he is a team person.” Was that not something you thought of as a possibility? “I think if we are picking 26 players, then they all need to be physically at the level to get on the pitch and perform for us. “Unfortunately, since Hendo’s injury sort of eight weeks ago, he hasn’t been able to find the intensity. “He’s covering the distance, but the intensity of his game [he] hasn’t quite been able to find yet. “In the last camp that we had, a lot of senior players went home and I challenged some of the younger group to step up and embrace that leadership opportunity and they did that really well. “When things are forced upon you, those windows for others to step forward are there, that is what you find, young people step into that gap and they develop, it gives them a chance to shine.” A lot of senior players aren’t involved here should we be worried about that? That all of that experience is not there? “You would rather have it, but in a lot of these positions in midfield unfortunately Kalvin has dropped out of the picture, Jordan has dropped out of the picture. “So, the other options are young players, so we have got to go with young players.” 'We have to adapt'published at 17:50 17:50 BBC 5 Live's John Murray has interviewed England manager Gareth Southgate about his training squad ahead of the Euros. Is there a concern with Luke Shaw's injury and Ben Chilwell's absence that there may not be an out and out left back? “No, I think we have seen some big teams in club football deal with that in different ways in the last few years and we have had that situation ourselves before. “There are players who have played left back both at club level and with us. “We recognise there isn’t that obvious natural replacement, but we have to adapt and find the best possible way.” I wonder with so many defenders a back five might return with Trippier, Maguire, Sones, Guehi or Dunk and Walker all starting.
I really hope he wont be that stupid to sacrifice important midfield options like wharton or mainoo for more centre backs
I find it odd that while the media are asking about left backs none of them seemed to ask why Chilwell is not even on the longlist or why he didn’t consider Mitchell either. Maybe this gives a hint through. #CFC may be privately quite happy about England squad announcement...Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill have full summer off to recover from injury issues, be fresh for next season. Will be disappointing for them to miss out on a personal level though.— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) May 21, 2024
I think ones of Jones or Wharton will be cut maybe both of them. He was talking very positively about Mainoo so I think he is safe.
I have been one of Southgates biggest critics on here but fair play he has surprised me and picked on form for once. Would have probably gone Solanke in there for Toney but good to see Wharton and Eze in there with all our other exciting young talents
I think he should have dropped Maddison for Rashford solely because of styles required. He never plays Maddison central anyway and we already have numerous options to play the 10 or attacking 8 roles. What would Maddison even play under Southgate? A wide left role with a right footed LB behind him? Maddison and Dunk are the odd selections imo. I would have also picked Chilwell. Need another left back. He’s proven he can play the role well if given enough trust.
Yeah Maddison is unlucky in that we have so many top options in that position he would probably not be utilised unless we had a glut of injuries plus his form dipped. With Chilwell he had a stinker in his last England game that didnt help his cause. Other options that finished the season playing well are Lewis Hall and Mitchel at palace.
It would make sense if Southgate was expansive and daring. If options like Maddison were played deeper in the pitch then fair enough. He never does it though. So having so many of these options in the squad is a bit odd. Especially with the left back issues. He played well in one of the games though. Southgate never does it but you need a left footed option and possibly not having one in a 26 player squad is silly. I would have been happy with any of the left back options you have mentioned being in the squad.
Agreed on both. I've been up and down about Rashford but I think when you see the squad written down the lack of runners stands out. Grealish/Maddison/Palmer/Foden/Eze is a superfluous number of ball-to-feet 10/half-space players. Also important to note that those players, Palmer especially, are at their best when they have runners around them. The left-back situation is better left unsaid. It didn't bother me too much at first but when he said that Shaw is a "long shot" I couldn't believe there wasn't another option.